Ear ailment diagnostic device and method

ABSTRACT

An ear ailment diagnostic device and method in accordance with the present disclosure generally comprises a pair of earpieces, which both further comprise a light source, a magnification lens, an air conduction channel and a miniature camera. The earpieces may optionally comprise a thermometer and/or tympanometer. Each earpiece is coupled to an air conduction tube, an insufflator and an electrical wiring/data tube which is coupled to a computer. The insufflator may be manually, electronically, or battery powered. In the preferred embodiment the computer comprises a smart phone with data processing capability and wireless communication capability. Any data sent from the device can then be interpreted and diagnosed in a remote location so that an accurate treatment is prescribed.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/214,329, filed Jul. 19, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 14/484,448, filed Sep. 12, 2014 (now abandoned),which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/031,233, filedFeb. 20, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,858,430), which claims the benefit of35 U.S.C. § 119 and the filing date of U.S. provisional application no.61/311,813, filed Mar. 9, 2010. The specifications of each of theforegoing applications are incorporated herein by reference in theirentirety.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of medical devices. Morespecifically, the invention relates to medical devices and methods forthe diagnosis of ear ailments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Presently, the standard method of treatment for diagnosing external andmiddle ear infections requires a live in-person physician appointmentand consultation. This is necessary for both the actual examination aswell as for the diagnosis and management of a care plan. The patientusually must make an appointment, wait and eventually commute to thedoctor's office; all of which takes a great deal of time and prolongsany potential injury.

A doctor will usually use an assortment of various test equipment suchas thermometers, otoscopes, insufflators and tympanometers to diagnosethe ailment. Thermometer readings can indicate if there is increasedblood flow to the area due to inflammation or infection. Otoscopes,which typically include a light source and possibly a magnificationlens, are commonly used to get a visual of the ear canal as well as testthe mobility of the tympanic membrane (eardrum) by shooting a puff ofair into the ear. The air can be powered electrically or manually by theuse of a small bulb and tubing. Tympanometers or audiometers, whichusually include headphones and a hardware circuit, can then be used tomeasure and diagnose the mobility of the eardrum and ossicles(conductive bones). The sound reflected back to this instrument can beused to diagnose otitis of the middle or external ear. The results ofthis test can also be graphed as a function of decibels over airpressure. The graphs can then be compared against the norm to revealpotential injuries such as perforation or scarring of the eardrum,buildup of wax or lack of contact between the conduction bones.

The presently disclosed device allows a patient to benefit from accurateand effective diagnosis of ear ailments through self examination andremote diagnosis. In this way, both time and expense are salvaged andlead to quicker diagnosis, which in effect can lead to faster recovery,healing and/or treatment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An ear ailment diagnostic device and method in accordance with thepresent disclosure generally comprises at least one earpiece, whichfurther comprise a light source, a magnification lens, an air conductionchannel and a miniature digital camera, which is capable of taking stillor digital images. The earpiece may optionally comprise a thermometerand/or tympanometer. The earpiece is coupled to an air conduction tube,an insufflator and an electrical/data wire which is coupled to acomputer. The insufflator may be manually, electronically, or batterypowered. The electrical wiring transmits power and video data betweenthe camera and computer, and power and audio data between thetympanometer and computer. In the preferred embodiment the computercomprises a smart phone with data processing capability and wirelesscommunication capability. Broadly, the preferred embodiment of thepresent disclosure generally provides for a telemedicine integratedcompact device for the remote diagnosis and management of an assortmentof ear ailments, especially of the external and middle ear.

One method of using the device comprises the steps of inputting userspecific data, inserting at least one earpiece into at least one ear,positioning the earpiece and securing with a clip. Next, the user willset-up and activate the camera to capture an image or video, andtransmit that data to a hospital, physician or data center. Any datasent from the device can then be interpreted and diagnosed in a remotelocation so that an accurate treatment is prescribed and sent back tothe user. In another interactive embodiment of the method of using thedevice, the computer may generate a questionnaire for the user to fillout based on demographics, genetics or past medical history.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of an alternate embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of yet another embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5 illustrates a process flow diagram of the preferred embodiment ofthe method of using the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the following description of the various embodiments, reference ismade to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and inwhich is shown by way of illustration, various embodiments in which theinvention may be practiced. It is to be understood that otherembodiments may still be utilized and structural and functionalmodifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a perspective view of the preferred embodiment ofan ear ailment diagnostic device 10 is shown. In this preferredembodiment of ear diagnostic device 10, left earpiece 12 and rightearpiece 14 are bulbous containers which house smaller components. Eachearpiece, 12, 14 could alternatively take other similarly functionalshapes but must comprise at least one tip 30 which is capable of fittinginto the exterior of an ear canal. Both the earpieces, 12, 14 and tips30 may swivel or pivot or be maneuverable, extendable, flexible ormoldable so as to reach different areas and/or make a more secureconnection. Each may further comprise a small protective shield whichmay be used to focus the light emanating from light source 32, whichpreferably is opposite tips 30 on earpieces 12, 14. Besides acting asvisible conduit into the ear, tips 30 also comprise air tubes 36. Airtubes 36 may be straight down the middle of tips 30 or alternatively maybe ring-shaped just inside the circumference edges of tips 30. In thislatter shape they can function without impinging upon visibility andsound transmission. Each earpiece, 12, 14 will also comprise a miniaturecamera 34, preferably located inside the bulbous or spherical structure.Cameras 34 may be directly connected to earpieces 12, 14 or may form anextension of device 10 in some embodiments of the disclosure. Eachcamera may be adjustable so that it may focus on different areas withinthe first five millimeters of an ear canal. It may further includeservos to remotely control its position, focus, magnification, aperturespeed and independent lighting source for constant or flash lighting.Camera 34 may use any light source known in the art which is deemedappropriate for high quality still or motion pictures. A short motionpicture or video clip, typically no more than fifteen seconds, may bestored on digital memory. Ear device 10 additionally comprises powerbutton and LED power indicator lights 46, which may be located directlyon earpieces 12, 14 as shown in FIG. 1, on any other part of device 10,or in a foreign location such as a remote controller.

Now referring to FIG. 2, left ear tube 16 and right ear tube 18 may beseen extending downward from their respective earpieces, 12, 14 in ageneral conical or C-shape. It is important for these tubes 16, 18 to beconstructed of a flexible material, which include large percentages ofrubber, cloth and/or plastics. Tubes 16, 18 serve to conduct air up toair tubes 36 as well to conduct electrical power, audio, video and datafeeds downward through optional nexus juncture 20. Additionally, tubes16, 18 further comprise clips 28, which may fasten the device in placewhen in use or keep it locally secure when not in use. From nexusjuncture 20, combined tube 22 carries all merged wires, tubes and linesthrough insufflator 24. Insufflator 24, which can be mechanically orelectrically powered through a battery or wall circuit, provides burstsof increased air pressure through device 10 and into the ear canal, sothat changes to the eardrum can be visually measured. In the preferredembodiment of device 10, earpieces 12, 14 further comprise atympanometer (not shown) which can generate bursts of sound through tinyspeakers near tips 30. The sound that is reflected back from the eardrumcan then be measured through miniature audio sensors within thetympanometer and transmitted downward past insufflator 24. Results fromthe tympanometer are usually graphed by a software program to indicatepotential ailments to the eardrum and/or surrounding location. Finally,earpieces, 12, 14 may further comprise any variety of digitalthermometer known in the art, which are capable of measuring and sendingreadings down tube 26. Tube 26 can be seen exiting insufflator 24 andentering handheld computer 40 through port 38.

In the preferred embodiment, handheld computer 40 will be a smart phonewith various software applications as well as wireless datacommunication capability, but could easily be envisioned to be a customdedicated device or other similar functioning device known in the art.Computer 40 comprises a monitor or screen and a virtual or tactilekeypad. Alternate embodiments also comprise a speaker, microphone,camera, mouse, output port 42, touch-pad or joystick 44, camera button50 and light control button 52. Device 10 may optionally have othercontrols used for operating the thermometer, tympanometer, cameras, dataI/O, screen, and/or any associated software.

Now referring to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment of the presentdisclosure is shown. Device 10 is connected and assembled in a manner sothat nexus juncture 20 is absent and tubes, 16, 18 continue straight,but individually to insufflator 24. Tubes, 16, 18 may be intertwined orsecured together in some fashion. This construct may allow moreflexibility in the operation of device 10. Additionally, insufflator 24may be attached by separate wire and tubing (not shown) andindependently connect tube 26, instead of being positioned between tubes16, 18 and tube 26.

Now referring to FIG. 4, another alternate embodiment of the presentdisclosure is shown with insufflator 24 and tubing 16, 18 oppositecomputer 40. This version simply shows that tubing (ie. for air) can bekept separate from electrical/data wiring 22. In this configuration,clips 28 can then be placed in alternate locations, such as onelectrical/data wiring 22.

The presently disclosed device has a broad range of functionality due toits multiple components. It can provide a visual inspection of apatient's inner ear due to the tips, light source and cameras. It canprovide a tactile response in conjunction with the visual inspection dueto the insufflator and air tubing. It can also provide a moreelectronically sensed response due to tiny speakers which emit soundwaves and sense reflected sound waves form the tympanometer. This datacan only be captured and recorded due to the orientation andconstruction of the wiring which directly connects to a computerizedunit. Finally, temperature within the ear or ears can be simultaneouslymeasured and recorded while any of the previously mentioned tests arebeing performed. The tests can then be used to diagnose ailments rangingfrom a build-up of earwax, to an infection to a small perforation in theeardrum or even a misalignment of the ossicles. The versatility of thedevice eliminates the need for multiple instrumentation. Additionally,the simplicity of the device allows for a user or patient with almostany level of skill, such as a child, to be able to operate the device.The ability to take the various measurements and, in essence, thoroughlyexamine an ear eliminates the need for a patient to travel to a hospitalor be in the presence of a doctor. Instead, a medical practitioner mayconduct the diagnosis and prescribe treatment from any remote location.

Now referring to FIG. 5, a process flow diagram of the preferred methodof using the presently disclosed device is shown. First, a user willinput family, genetic, demographic and/or past medical record historyinto the miniature computer. In one embodiment, the computer may thenprovide an appropriate questionnaire based on this information, whichmay be helpful in ascertaining additional pertinent information. Theuser will then fill out this questionnaire, if provided. The user mayalso take a picture of the outside of the ear and profile of the head.The user will then place at least one tip 30 of earpieces 12, 14 intothe external ear canal of their ears. In some circumstances, only oneearpiece may be used. In one embodiment of the presently disclosedmethod, the earpieces may also comprise small speakers which play audioinstructions for proper fit of device 10. In the preferred embodiment,the user will also use clips 28 on the pinnea (ear lobe) or external earin order to ensure the best picture position. The best position can beconfirmed via audio or visual display. Once earpieces, 12, 14 are inplace, the user may press camera button 50 to activate the cameras totake a picture or video clip. Either the same button, or another buttonmay then be used to adjust the camera settings, including lighting,aperture, focus, and magnification, and “snap” the picture.Additionally, a short video make also be taken. Any number of picturesand video icons will appear on the screen of mini-computer 40. Thescreen may also display other pictures, data and icons representing alldata sets from various tests, various time frames and even varioususers. The user then sends the pictures and data to a medicalpractitioner. The medical practitioner makes a diagnosis and recommendsa treatment, which is transferred back to the user. In a moresophisticated embodiment of the present device and method, softwarewithin the device or located at a remote data center will make thediagnosis and recommend a treatment.

The present invention includes any novel feature or combination offeatures disclosed herein either explicitly or any generalizationthereof. While the invention has been described with respect to specificexamples including presently preferred modes of carrying out theinvention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there arenumerous variations and permutations of the above described apparatus.Thus, the spirit and scope of the invention should be construed broadlyas set forth in the previous specification or appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device for examining an outer and middle ear ofa user and capturing data related to the ear of the user, the devicecomprising: at least one earpiece comprising: a bulbous housing shapedto be attached to the outer ear of the user, a tip connected to thebulbous housing, the tip sized to fit within an ear canal, a lightsource configured to illuminate the ear canal, and a digital camerahoused within the earpiece, the digital camera configured to capture animage of the ear canal; wherein the bulbous housing is shaped such thatthe image of the ear canal is captured without having to position the atleast one ear piece in the user's outer ear as the image of the earcanal is captured.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising at leastone clip for securing said at least one earpiece.
 3. The device of claim1, further comprising a digital thermometer within said tip, saidthermometer electrically coupled to said electrical wire.
 4. The deviceof claim 1, further comprising a tympanometer within said housing, saidtympanometer electrically coupled to said electrical wire.
 5. The deviceof claim 1, wherein said tip may swivel, pivot, be maneuverable,extendable, flexible or moldable.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein saidlight source comprises a light-emitting diode.
 7. The device of claim 1,wherein said camera captures both still pictures and video clips.
 8. Thedevice of claim 1, wherein said camera further comprises a remotelycontrolled adjustable lighting source, magnification, aperture speed,position, focus and recording quality.
 9. A method of using the deviceof claim 1 to diagnose and treat ear ailments comprising the steps of:inputting user-specific data into a computer; attaching the bulboushousing to the outer ear of the user such that said tip of said bulboushousing is inserted into the ear canal; activating a camera within saidearpiece to capture the image of the ear canal without having toposition the at least one ear piece in the user's outer ear as the imageof the ear canal is captured; transmitting said data and said image; andremotely diagnosing a condition of said ear and returning a treatmentplan.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the device further comprises athermometer or tympanometer and the method further comprising: recordingreadings from the thermometer or the tympanometer while the digitalcamera captures said image.
 11. The method of claim 9, furthercomprising the step of activating said insufflator while capturing saidimage.
 12. The method of claim 9, further comprising the step ofreceiving instructions from a speaker within said housing, saidinstructions describing how to best fit and initiate said device. 13.The device of claim 1, further comprising: an air tube directlyconnected to said tip and an electrical wire directly coupled to saidcamera, wherein the air tube and the electrical wire merge to form acombined tube; an insufflator directly connected to said combined tube;and a computer electrically coupled to said insufflator.
 14. The deviceof claim 13, further comprising a junction node between said air tubeand said combined tube.
 15. The device of claim 13, wherein said airtube is ring-shaped and lines the inner of said tip.
 16. The device ofclaim 13, wherein said insufflator is either manually powered orelectrically powered.
 17. The device of claim 13, wherein said air tubeand said combined tube are composed of a mixture of rubber, plastic andcloth.
 18. The device of claim 13, wherein said computer is selectedfrom one of the group consisting of: a smart-phone, a custom dedicateddevice, a laptop computer, a tablet computer and a net-book.
 19. Thedevice of claim 13, wherein said computer further comprises a monitorscreen, a means for user input, a data input port, a data exit port, acomputer readable medium and a means for wireless transmission of data.20. The device of claim 13, wherein said computer comprises wirelesscommunication capability.